Rumor: Ford CEO Alan Mulally In Lead For Microsoft CEO Job

A new name has emerged for the top job at Microsoft, which will soon be vacated by Steve Ballmer. Alan Mulally is currently CEO of Ford, and he is reportedly in negotiations to lead the Redmond computing giant.

Mulally reportedly also advised current Microsoft CEO Ballmer on the company's new organizational structure. That same structure put Julie Larson-Green and then Stephen Elop (who took over the role when Microsoft purchased Nokia earlier this month) at the top of the entertainment products, which is where the Xbox brand lives.

We've reached out to Microsoft for comment and will be monitoring this story.

Our TakeMulally might not seem like the right choice on the surface, but given his history in turning companies around, he might just be what Microsoft needs. Bill Gates is reportedly heavily involved in the selection process (as one would expect), and if Mulally gets his blessing, we could be learning more about a transition with Mulally the incoming CEO very soon.